Pull Up a ChairFestival offers a seat at the chef’s table
May 25, 2017 at 3:50 p.m.

Dean Fearing, acclaimed chef and author known as a &#8220;Father of Southwestern Cuisine,&#8221; is one of the highlighted chefs for year three of BITE NWA.

BITE NWA, Northwest Arkansas's two-day food festival, is going through a few changes for its third year.

After two sold out years at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion in Rogers, the festival is relocating to the 8th Street Market in downtown Bentonville -- the first event to be held at the new culinary venue. Also new this year is The Chef's Table Experience where guests can watch interactive cooking demonstrations while getting up close with local and national culinary names.

FAQ

BITE NWA

WHEN — June 22-23

WHERE — 8th Street Market, Bentonville

COST — $15-$30

INFO — bitenwa.com

The Chef's Experience will be a unique activation at the festival taking place during night one -- Thursday, June 22 -- and will bring together students and faculty of the new Brightwater Culinary School of Bentonville to prepare for the audience the dishes being presented on stage. Featured chefs include Mario Valdovino, Tyson Executive Chef and Owner of MOD Restaurant; Matthew McClure, The Hive Executive Chef; Rob Nelson, Executive Chef and Owner of Tusk & Trotter; and Dean Fearing, Creator of Fearing's Restaurant and author of The Texas Food Bible.

The activation was curated in partnership with the James Beard Foundation Impact Programs -- an initiative within the JBF that works to establish greater food sustainability.

"The experience will highlight topics of importance to our Foundation's Impact Programs such as food waste, sustainable seafood and sustainable meat, while giving attendees a chance to enjoy an intimate cooking demonstration with the region's best chefs," says Kris Moon, vice president of JBF.

The demonstrations seek to educate and entertain while celebrating the artistry of the chefs and the delectability of their creations.

Guests can taste and sip their way through nearly 50 local and regional names in food and libations over the two nights. Look for more details coming in the June 15 edition of The Free Weekly!